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In Canada, Islam has not yet developed a truly national form of social and religious culture; it is rather a work-in-progress.

But where else, except in Canada, will you find North America’s oldest mosque -- still standing, preserved as a national heritage site in Edmonton, Alberta?

Where else, except in Canada, will you find the world’s first mosque with a multi-function gymnasium? This modern facility is used for events such as basketball games and sports tournaments, school graduations, fashion shows, or lectures - but on Fridays it becomes a place of prayer.

Where else, except in Canada, will you find university classrooms which have just been used for lectures in mathematics and computer science, converted on Fridays into prayer halls?

Where else in the Western world, except in Canada, will you find the highest per capita number of Muslim Members of Parliament and Senators?

Where else, except in Canada, will you find so many mosques and churches sharing each other’s parking lots?

And where else but in Canada will you hear the largest Protestant church in the country publicly declare that Muslims worship the same God that Christians do?

So who else, but Canadian Muslims, would originate the world's first Islamic History Month? And they did!

All of these facts are Canadian realities, yet if questions about identity and self-definition still occupy a prominent place in the minds of our citizens, these issues pose an even greater challenge to Canada’s Muslims.

While Muslims are a small minority here (under 3 per cent of the total population), they are still the largest non-Christian minority in the country, comprising a wide variety of immigrants from some 40 different national, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds. And over 50 per cent of Canada’s 750,000 Muslims (2007 figures) are Canadian-born.

Muslim identity in Canada has been influenced in two major ways; first, there is the country itself -- a nation with a comparatively young history (140 years in 2007), occupying a huge and ruggedly diverse land-mass -- and secondly, by the self-perceptions of its Muslim immigrants.

A Muslim in the U.S. is usually identified as a Black Muslim; in France, a North African; in Britain, an East Indian or Pakistani; and in Germany, a Turk. These designations reflect the predominant origin of Muslims in each of those countries. But that is not so in Canada, where Muslims have arrived from all over the world and from very diverse cultures. Here, in our unique and dynamically challenging environment, the Canadian Muslim is just that -- a Canadian Muslim.

Whether they form a minority or majority segment of society, Muslims historically have been able to create localized Islamic cultures suitable for their region of settlement. This has resulted over time in distinct Islamic societies that developed among Arabs, Africans, Persians, East Indians, Malays, Chinese, Russians, and Turks.

On the Indian subcontinent, for example, Muslims form a minority of some 400 millions. That’s a very large minority, yet a minority nonetheless.

But it didn’t stop Indian Muslims from building one of the world's greatest cultures, highlighted by such imposing architectural monuments as the world-famous Taj Mahal. And Muslim culture similarly imprinted its distinct character on other areas, like Spain and Eastern Europe.

Now it is Canada’s turn to celebrate the Islamic legacy. Islamic History Month Canada is a new and unprecedented initiative developed to respond proactively to the multicultural, multiethnic and multifaith nation that we have become. Beginning in October 2007, it is hoped that all Canadians will share in this annual recognition of the nation’s largest non-Christian faith group.

Islamic heritage does not belong only to Canadian Muslims; it belongs to all Canadians. For more than 1,000 years, the contributors to Islamic civilization were of different ethnic backgrounds, including African, Asian and European. They were numerous men and women who were often adherents of different faiths; most would never even have known that they were helping to make history. Many of their names and accomplishments have faded with the passage of time, but their collective story has not been forgotten. Now there will be an annual opportunity, every October, to experience another chapter of the Islamic story.

Islamic History Month Canada will also enhance our ties, both economically and culturally, with Muslim countries around the world.

In the words of IHMC’s Honourary Chair, Senator Mobina Jaffer:

"Canada's national cultural heritage is the sum total of the way Canadians from every background and every walk of life identify and express themselves. Islamic civilization does not belong only to Muslim Canadians, but to all Canadians. In fact, for more than 1,000 years (about 600 AD through 1600 AD), Muslims made significant contributions to the well-being of humanity in numerous fields of endeavour. There are so many good stories to share and new learnings to experience; we intend to do all that, and more, during Islamic History Month Canada."

Today, it would seem that the civilizations of East and West, or the Muslim and non-Muslim world, have become reversed. But perhaps it is more a case of having forgotten those former glories in the pursuit of present-day materialism and political agendas. A re-discovery and renewed appreciation of Muslim accomplishments would benefit all of humanity, allowing us to see -- and hopefully resolve -- present conflicts within the wider spectrum of human history.

Where else but in Canada?

(Dr. Mohamed Elmasry is national president of the Canadian Islamic Congress. He can be reached at np@canadianislamiccongress.com)

More information regarding IHMC can be found at:
www.islamichistorymonth.com

Ottawa, ON -- The melodious sound of a Qanoun was heard throughout the corridors of Ottawa City Hall on Monday, marking the beginning of a month- long celebration of Islamic History in Canada.

The occasion was a free public solo performance by Dr. George Sawa on the unusual 78-stringed Egyptian harp (or dulcimer) which has been an integral part of traditional Arabic music for many centuries.

As part of a nation-wide celebration of Islamic History Month Canada (IHMC), the Ottawa has joined the cities of Victoria and Kingston in officially proclaiming October to be Islamic History Month in Canada.

Commenting on the launch of IHMC, Honorary Chair Senator Mobina Jaffer noted that: "there are so many good stories to share and new learnings to experience; we intend to do all that, and more, during Islamic History Month Canada."

In addition, IHMC’s Ottawa Chairman, Imam Dr. Zijad Delic, explained "the objective of the month is to inspire Canadian Muslims to share their history, heritage and culture with their fellow Canadians." He added that this goal would be achieved through presenting various exhibitions, lectures, celebrity tours, book fairs, and other complementary activities.

"Our sincere desire is to share history and stories which so often go untold and, in addition, highlight Muslims’ contributions to the arts, sciences, medicine, architecture, humanities, music, spirituality, and every area of human knowledge."

Prof. Sawa -- who has performed extensively in Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East -- is a native of Alexandria, Egypt, and studied both Western and Arabic music there. He is currently the Noor Visiting Professor at York University. He has also received the prestigious Life Achievement Award from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for his research into Arabic music history, and is the recipient of many Canada Council Grants and SSHRCC grants, as well as an Ontario Arts Council Recognition Fellowship.

When asked if many students learn how to play the Qanoun today, he stated that "the numbers are few, as it takes at least four years to really learn it and a lifetime to master it due to its complexity." Sawa started learning the instrument when he was 19 and said this was considered "old" by traditional musicians’ standards.

The Qanoun he played at Ottawa City Hall was crafted in mahogany and the strings were made out of fish skins from the Nile River. The two finger picks he uses were made from water buffalo horn.

He broke two strings on his way to Ottawa but he was unable to repair them in time for the performance because "they take at least one week to stretch," he said. The broken strings, however, did not affect his performance as many people passed by and remarked on how beautiful the music was.

He then gave a repeat performance later in the afternoon at the Student Centre of the University of Ottawa.

IHMC is the initiative of the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) and is sponsored by a number of Canadian Islamic organizations. They also wish to enhance Canada's ties, both economically and culturally, with other Muslim countries, and are currently offering research grants up to a maximum of $5,000 to encourage Canadian academics to pursue research on various aspects of Islamic Civilization.

For more information and planned activities for IHMC, please visit their website at: www.islamichistorymonth.com

(This article was edited for the CIC Friday Magazine.)

Once a hard-nosed, hard-drinking Fleet Street reporter, Yvonne Ridley today is a proud, pious and unapologetic Muslim. Islam is "the biggest and best family in the world," she says, but also a family that is deeply misunderstood.

The 48-year-old London-based journalist and political activist brought her campaign against the West and its war on terror to Canada last month, visiting Toronto, Waterloo and Montreal to speak at fundraising dinners for the Canadian Islamic Congress.

"I've always been a fighter for women's rights. I still am," she said. "...except now I would say I'm an Islamic feminist. I have been supporting the Palestinian cause for three decades now. That hasn't changed. What has changed are people's perceptions of me.

"As soon as I put on a hijab, it was like, ‘Oh my God, she's a radical. She’s an extremist.’ And suddenly, I moved from being a journalist to a Muslim activist."

But her visit here inflamed critics. B'nai Brith Canada, protested that she's a "terrorist sympathizer" whose views are "extremist and dangerous," and called for her talks to be monitored by police.

Ridley has been called an Islamist dupe and an apologist for terrorism. Remarks attributed to her include a reference to Jewish critics as "those nauseating little Zionists who accuse me of being an anti-Semite" and a characterization of London cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred, as "quite sweet, really."

Asked prior to her Toronto talk to comment, she denies nothing. Those reported remarks "are regurgitated by people who have an agenda against me," she said. Yes, she called al-Masri sweet, but "that was part of a one- hour, 20-minute talk in which he was featured for about 30 seconds." She was quoted "totally out of context," she says.

"It would be like you looking at Hitler and saying, ‘Apparently, he was a very gifted artist and I looked at his work and it moved me.’ The next thing you know, you pick up the paper and somebody is saying, ‘Oh God, that man said Hitler was gifted and he was moved by him’."

Ridley blames journalists, always out for a juicy sound bite. "This is the trouble with the media. I'm not having a go at you," she says, "but you do try and simplify issues ... If you tell me what story you've been told to get and what headline you need, then I'll try and help you."

Would she characterize a Muslim who calls for violence as un-Islamic or radical? "Historically," Ridley points out, "violence has worked." The Irish Republican Army, for example, "bombed their way to the negotiating table."

And the 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel by the Irgun, pre-state Israel's Jewish militia, was "a defining moment in the British Army's desire to get the hell out of Jerusalem."

There's no difference, Ridley says, "between a suicide bomber and a Stealth bomber [aircraft] because they both kill innocent people. And the death of innocent people is always to be condemned."

Ridley's extraordinary journey to her present activism began just after the 9/11 attacks when, as a reporter for Britain's Daily Express, she donned a burka and sneaked into Afghanistan to cover the war on terror.

At the time, she was a Church of England Anglican who attended worship about twice a month, "which in Britain, is regarded as fanatical." She had a knowledge of Islam that "you could probably write on the back of a postage stamp, and it was incorrect."

Her assignment finished, she was making her way out of Afghanistan when the Taliban discovered she had a camera tucked beneath her robes. Held and interrogated for 10 days in Jalalabad and Kabul, she was released after promising her captors that she would read the Qur'an. She kept her word and read the Qur'an. In 2003, she accepted Islam.

She usually wears a black hijab and jilbab, or floor-length cloak, prays five times daily, eschews alcohol and bristles at suggestions that she represents a textbook case of Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological condition in which the captive empathizes with her captor.

"That comes from people who cannot accept that a Western woman has rejected what they see as Western values (in order) to embrace Islam," she said.

The Taliban have been "demonized beyond recognition, because you can't drop bombs on nice people." But "I did not bond with my captors," she says. "I spat at them. I swore at them. I threw things at them. I was aggressive. I was rude (and) obnoxious. I was the prisoner from hell."

But what about her conversion? Has she compromised her journalistic objectivity by embracing the philosophy of her captors?

"I didn't embrace the philosophy of my captors," is the crisp reply. "My captors were the Taliban, and (they) have a very specific type of doctrine. And I didn't embrace that.

"I embraced Islam. I embraced what I consider to be pure Islam."

(This article was slightly edited for the CIC Friday Magazine.)

Dear Editor;

I believe in free speech and I believe in fair and accurate representation of facts, being accountable for one's actions, and standing up for the rights of all Canadians. Bruce Allen's comments were discriminatory, based on misleading facts which provoked social tensions and had the potential consequence of inciting anger towards Sikh and Muslim Canadians as well as immigrants. I called for Mr. Allen to be held accountable on this matter and not for the censuring of his speech.

Mr. Allen should be answerable for the fabricated facts upon which he based his argument for immigrants to "shut up and fit in." To clarify, there are no laws or rules in Canada that require someone to not wear a veil when voting, a patka in passport photos, or to change your last name to immigrate to Canada. For Mr. Allen to suggest that Sikhs and Muslims are somehow running contrary to Canadian rules and laws is completely false. Allen says such laws are clearly "spelled out and easy to get a hold of" when in fact, they do not exist.

It is dangerous to espouse this misleading information because of its ability to incite anger and negative reactions and thus further widen social cleavages. As the former Minister of Multiculturalism, I have witnessed the effects of this and am deeply concerned about the harmful repercussions that can ensue.

During my time as Minister I met immigrants from across Canada and encouraged them to fit in by accepting Canadian core values of democracy, the rule of law, equality and a passion to share. I have yet to meet one that disagreed. Instead of "shut up and fit in" as Mr. Allen ordered, we should encourage all newcomers to fully participate in our society. By getting involved in our democratic political process they may peacefully advocate for their concerns. By working within the judicial system new Canadians can strive to protect their rights and safeguard the freedoms we all enjoy. New Canadians should also join volunteer teams to help others and look after our society's most vulnerable. That is what fitting in as Canadians all about.

Upon reflection of Mr. Allen's comments I feel it necessary to ask this question: At what point does Mr. Allen acknowledge immigrants as Canadians, deserving of all the rights bestowed unto him? Apparently Mr. Allen is unaware of Canada's history. The fact is, Chinese Canadians have called this country home since 1788, Muslims since 1871 and Sikh Canadians just celebrated 110 years of living in Canada. Who has the right to tell them to leave Canada, their home?

As all Canadians do, Mr. Allen has the right to his opinion, but as a member of VANOC's Ceremony Team his inflammatory and discriminatory remarks could be interpreted as an indication that Vancouver is less than respectful, tolerant or welcoming. That is why I asked Mr. Allen to apologize and take responsibility for his remarks.

My call for an apology was then echoed by the Canadian Jewish Congress, numerous Sikh Canadian organizations, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and at least three other fellow Parliamentarians and legislators.

As Canadians we are entitled to the fundamental right of free speech, but we must always remember that our rights come with responsibilities. Mr. Allen needs to be held accountable for his remarks.

Sincerely,

The Hon. Raymond Chan, P.C., M.P. Member of Parliament for Richmond, BC

(This article was slightly edited for the CIC Friday Magazine.)